Benitez: We don't need a miracle

Rafael Benitez insists he does not need another "miracle" to rescue Chelsea from Champions League humiliation.

Benitez famously masterminded what was dubbed 'The Miracle of Istanbul' seven-and-a-half years ago when Liverpool produced one of the greatest comebacks in European Cup final history to beat AC Milan.

But he has declared that Chelsea do not require divine intervention to avoid becoming the first Champions League holders to crash out of the competition before Christmas. Interim manager Benitez acknowledged Chelsea might need "a bit of luck" on Wednesday night but said: "I don't think it's a miracle."

That is despite the Blues going into their final Group E game needing to beat Nordsjaelland while hoping Shakhtar Donetsk produce the same result against Juventus. Anything else and the team which ended their agonising wait for Champions League glory just six months ago will suffer the indignity of continuing their European campaign in the Europa League.

Benitez added: "We have to do our job and wait for the other teams."

Benitez reiterated he had no fears of a Shakhtar stitch-up, despite a draw suiting both the Ukrainian champions and Juve.

The Spaniard arguably should be less concerned about the mentality of the group leaders and more worried about that of his own side, who are on their worst run in the Barclays Premier League for 15 years after failing to win any of their three matches since he took charge.

That has piled the pressure on the former Liverpool boss, whose appointment sparked a huge supporter revolt, something which may intensify at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Benitez remarkably admitted after Saturday's defeat at West Ham that he was "not 100% sure" his job was secure.

But he is more relaxed now, insisting he felt "no" pressure from owner Roman Abramovich and that he had been assured the Russian was not about to parachute in Avram Grant to assist him.

"I know Avram Grant is a nice person and a good manager, but all the information I have is he's not coming," said Benitez, who admitted he and Abramovich had not spoken since Saturday but confirmed the Russian's thoughts had been relayed to him.